The sacrifices of those who have served, and who are continuing to serve are being honoured today on this Remembrance Day.
At 11 a.m. on this date in 1918 the guns fell silent as the hostilities of the First World War came to a close, ending a four-year conflict that claimed millions of lives – including hundreds of Newfoundlanders in the devastating battle of Beaumont Hamel.
Every year since the occasion has been marked to honour and remember veterans. There are numerous ceremonies of remembrance taking place across the province today.
In the capital city the ceremony will not be taking place at the War Memorial as it is undergoing an extensive facelift. Instead, the parade and ceremony is happening at the Sergeants’ Memorial on Queen’s Road beginning at 10:15 a.m.
As a result, a portion of Queen’s Road (Rawlins Cross to Long’s Hill will be closed from 9:30 to 1 p.m., and there will be rolling closures on Queen’s Road and New Gower street (Long’s Hill to City Hall) from 11 a.m. to noon.
In Corner Brook the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 13 will be joined by both batalions of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment for a procession to the Cenotaph and wreath laying in Remembrance Square.
Members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment will leave the barracks on O’Connell Drive around 10:00 a.m. and proceed to West Valley Road and then north to the Majestic Lawn. Veterans and invited guests will meet up with the procession and proceed down West Street to the Cenotaph.
After the ceremony Main Street, Park Street and Chestnut Street will be closed to allow the procession to exit the area. All roads will open by 12:00 noon.
Conception Bay South Mayor Darrin Bent is encouraging residents to join in today’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Monument of Honour next to the Town Hall. He says they will have representation from the military and police, to honour veterans, those who are serving, and to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.